Education and Science, Forum, Latvia, Technology

“Even though Latvia is among the world’s top countries for high broadband adoption, fast average connection speed, and 70% of citizens are Internet users, a part of society don’t have access to modern technologies – 73% Latvians aged 55 and older don’t have computer literacy skills. We believe that mastering computer skills plays a paramount and pivotal role in reducing the digital divide, the barriers to information and communication technologies, which create the threat of particular segments of society being excluded from the information flow, socialising and employment opportunities,” Juris Gulbis, Lattelecom Chairman of the Board, elaborates.

The “Connect, Latvia!” senior opinion poll shows participant’s confidence on the initiative’s long-term impact on their life quality. 81% of those who mastered basic computer skills, and have started to use these skills, confirm that their quality of their life has improved and that they feel like a part of modern society. 90% evaluate the classes as useful and 85% would like to continue to develop the skills gained even more. From April until the end of September more than 5000 applications has been received, of those 3650 have attended the course, and the project will continue until November, informs BC project manager at Lattelecom Public Relations Liga Bite.

“The most important thing is to continue to exercise one’s brain as time goes on, or else everything goes to naught. I am socially active, and it is very important for me to master computer literacy, since I have to keep in touch with friends living in different countries. In order to keep up with the world news I subscribe to six newspapers – starting with local printed media, but I also subscribe to The Economist and Der Spiegel. As time goes on, writing letters becomes more and more difficult for me, both the writing itself as well as the posting. I am somewhat familiar with using e-mail, and I would like to learn to use the internet, web pages and Google,” explains Aina Rodriguez-Mata. The lady is ninety-three years old.

Another attendee, Alberts Fricis Pietuks, acts younger than his respectful ninety-one years. This gentleman plans his business and looks for modern 21^st century work, which fits his skills. He says: “Whilst living abroad I mastered several foreign languages; therefore, I could translate from French, Spanish, English and German. Thus, I would greatly benefit from the knowledge of e-mail use. I could receive the jobs sent to me, and likewise, could return my translations. It would be very useful if computer classes like these would be provided in the future, since certain things slip from my memory over time. Moreover, the government should adopt such a policy of teaching us old folks in order to keep us in the job market.”

In response to society’s ever-increasing demand, in 2012 this social initiative has expanded: it received the support of the Latvian government – the Ministry of Welfare, and the Ministry of Education and Science; it involves 99 IT teachers from all around the country, and the age group has expanded – starting already from 50. The project “Connect, Latvia!” involves the planning and coordination of classes, teacher preparation,  and the development of the study materials. The classes help the elderly to gain basic computer and Internet use skills such as switching on a PC, searching for information on the web, using e-mail and, and using Skype. The computer literacy classes are adapted specifically to the senior audience – the course lasts three days and is held in small groups. During the last year 1500 seniors were educated within the project.

Lattelecom is the leading provider of electronic communications services in Latvia. The enterprise offers electronic communication solutions for the home, small and medium-sized businesses, state and municipal institutions, as well as for corporate clients. Lattelecom also offers integrated electronic communications and IT services, as well as telecommunications, network design and installation services.